Unedited ⚠

Special mention to whitedandelions001 for the pretty cover :)
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Pain is like a sinful melody of hurt emotions. One experiences it even after the damage is done. Even after the stabbing episode is over. Even after guilt is felt.

Pain is felt even after numbness.

I regret the fact that I forgot to pack a whole bundle of Nalfon while packing. It would have helped to ease my constant throbbing temples and the mental pain. I slowly push myself up from the bed and notice that I easily slept through the whole night.

After a hot shower, the weather feels like has dropped down a hundred degrees, I head out to clean the house. Adonis's room is closed so I presumr he is sleeping.

Good. I am in no mood for a confrontation.

Afraid he is going to wake up soon, I start swiping furiously, tuning in to my phone. One of my favorite songs starts to play and I begin to sway to the music dramatically with the broom.

Say you, say me
Say it for always, that's the way it should be

Say you, say me
Say it together, naturally

I had a dream, I had an awesome dream
People in the park, playing games in the dark
And what they played was a Masquerade
And from behind of walls of doubt a voice was crying out....

Say you say me
Say it for always, that's the way it should be
Say you say me
Say it together, naturally.

By then, my hips were in full swing and I lip sync the lyrics audibly, closing the world outside me. I forget all my worries and doubts as I launch myself completely into a ball dance. I realise, music therapy helps me a lot to cope up with my problems. I feel grateful to my mother, for without her, I would not have been introduced to guitar and song composition.

"Grey?"

One word. One word makes me halt abruptly. The chill in the air suddenly feels a thousand times more chilly as I turn around to face him. All the memories from yesterday comes crashing in with just once glance at him. It takes me all my strength to speak up.

"Y-yeah?"

"You are a wonderful dancer."

I blink. What? I definitely did not expect that comment. I try to calm my nerves. Anybody can say you are a good dancer. You don't have to react like THAT.

The problem is, Adonis is not just anybody. He is the boy who taunts me, insults me and hates me. I loathe him too.

Then why are you staring at him creepily with a blush on your cheeks?

Good question.

"You are gonna speak up or what?" He looks concerned.

"Thank you."

I decide I have cleaned enough and i retreat back towards the store house to keep the broom away. Apparently, Adonis has a different idea.

He takes a step forward towards me and scratches his head.

"Look, Cassandra" he pronounces my name as if it was a code name.

"About last night...." Oh no.

"NO!" I cut him off, afraid that the conversation might go in the wrong direction again.

"Cassandra just understand, please, I don't want you to hate me. I know you think I am a horrible person, and frick, yes, yes I am. In these last two days, i have been nothing but awful to you and I am sorry."

For once, I don't know what to think. I let him continue, avoiding his pleading gaze.

"You have to understand that I had my reasons for doing so. I-I didn't want to get close to you. I had to be rude to make you dislike me and it seems that you have." He says in an unusually low voice. "My girlfriend, she doesn't like you at all. I tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted I stay away from you. That's why, Cassandra, just that's why I had to say stuff to satisfy her."

"I don't think bad about you Grey," he takes a few strides closer to me and I feel my hands sweating and mind spinning.

All he said...... I am confused if I should trust him or not. Nobody has ever said any kind words to me before except Jordan. Why should he be any different? What has he done to make me trust him?

"I don't mind. It's not new that someone bad mouths me. I have tough experience in that area." I give a shaky laugh. "So yeah. Forget it. Have a great day!"

I start to walk away towards my room when a strong hand grips my arm tightly and jerks me towards him. My mind closes abruptly, unable to control my continuous blush. His effect on me increases with every conversation I have with him......mostly the unpleasant ones.

"Grey...."he breathes into my hair. I shiver.

His eyes meet mine.

"Come sightseeing with me today. I can show you around the city." It sounds more like an order. His so called order sounds appealing but then I remember that today is my first day of my new job. I cannot afford to travel today.

"I'm sorry. I can't go with you. I have plans." I don't enunciate on the topic.

His anticipated face drops. I feel a little sorry for him as I squeeze my hand away from his hard grip.

"What other plans do you have?" Sorrow filled his voice. Was is genuine or not ..... I couldn't tell.

"It's my first day at work." I explain.

"If it's for the rent money.... You don't have to work. I overreacted." He shrugs.

What's up with him? Why is he acting so good towards me?

"No, I love the place I'm going to work. It's quite alright! I will pay!"

He looks pained as he asks, "where are you working?"

"At a Children's Home. I-I should leave." I break my eye contact with him, heave a troubled sigh and walk away from him.

"Wait! Cassa-"

Before he finishes, I close the door and head towards the city. I feel uncomfortable that he is being nice to me suddenly. All my life I've been ignored and now, now that someone is actually talking to me, without any ulterior motive, looks suspicious. Any boyfriend of Scarlett cannot be trusted.

********

I reach the Home pretty quickly as I have been there before. Miss Lovelady ushers me in and starts introducing me to the kids.

"Heo girlii ! I'm Joey!" Chirps an enthusiastic, sweet and round boy.

I beam at him and reply, "Hey Joe! I'm Cassandra. You can call me Cassy if you want !"

Yes. That's right. I aaked him to call me Cassy. Never did I ask anyone that. Kids are an exception. Always.

Little Joey coos at me and tugs my faded jeans. "Nie tuh meet oo Casseeee !"

"It's wonderful to meet you too." I beam again.

Soon, more of these little kiddos gather round me and Miss Lovelady has a gala time introducing each and every one of them to me. I learn that each of the kids have a different story to share. There are a few kids a bit older to stay in a Home, but nevertheless, they fit in just fine.

After all the introduction, Miss Lovelady motions me to follow her to another large room up the staircase.

We turn right as soon as we reach the top landing and walk through a long corridor. She halts before a blue door and smartly unbolts it, entering inside. I follow her in a study, or so it seems and plop myself on a sofa.

I look up at her expectantly, wondering what could be the reason for calling me in her study.

"I want you to know that this job is a big responsibility. Many girls like you had applied for the job, got it even, but didn't last for more than a week. I hired you because I think you have what it takes to manage those kids." Her mood swings surprisingly has lasted well into her old age. One moment she is jolly and in the next moment she becomes all serious and authoritative.

"You needn't worry Miss Lovelady. I will try my level best. Besides, those kids seems lovely."

At my comment, she smirks. I wonder why.

"We will see." She says nothing else.

********

Alright. Alright. ALRIGHT.

Damn Miss Lovelady for being so correct.

These kids are a handful and a pain in the ass.

After changing Little Fiddle's diaper a thousand time, I decide I have had enough. By that i do not mean to say I quit, instead, I don't change her diaper a thousand and one times. Let her poop and pee all she wants.

It's past lunch and I still haven't had my food. I am terribly hungry and the worst part is, I cannot leave this place to eat outside as Paige and her dear mother is out shopping for a beach fair today, to which, I am officially invited. By 'officially' I genuinely mean that as I look at the invitation card on my hand given by Paige just before she left.

"CASSANDRA! HELPPP!!!"

Not again.

"What is it Sasha?"

"Jake is biting me AGAIN!"

Jake and Sasha are twins and they are known as 'The Fight Siblings'. Literally. As you can see.

"Jake stop biting your sister! I told both of you to sleep." I sigh.

"We were." Came Jake's voice. "But, Sasha started to poke me and disturb me even though she knows how much I love my sleep!"

I feel you .

"Sashaaaa!! You wont get a chocolate if you do that again. Now go to bed both of you!"

My lungs will burst if this continues.

"Yes ma'am!"

I stretch my legs on the sofa in the living room, glad that all the other kids are fast asleep. I could do with a nap myself!

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes dreaming of large kids throwing their extra large diapers at me.

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Ideas are developing too slowly. Hence the late updates. :(

I'm sorry! I will try to update sooner, though I cannot promise anything. :((((

All the love
Hazza❤